Container cushioning means for container cars



Oct 13, 1936. e. c. WOODRUFF CONTAINER CUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINERCARS Filed Jan. 19, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet l Och-13,1936. G. WO'ODRUFF v,0

CONTAINER. CUSHIONING' MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS Filed Jan. 19, 1934 11Sheets-Sheet 2 I oct; 13, 1936. G. c. WOODRUFF 2,057,223

CONTAINER GUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS 1 Filed Jan. 19,1954 11Sheets-Sheet s Oct. 13, 1936. e. c. WOODRUFF 2,057,223

CONTAINER CUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS Filed Jan. 19, 1954 11Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 13, 1936. G. c. woobnuFp 2,057,223

CONTAINER GUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS Filed Jan. 19, 1934 V11Sheets-Sheet 5 w ll;

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Oct. 13, 1936 G. c. WOODRUFF I CONTAINER CUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINERCARS lISheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 19, 1934 Oct. 13, 1936.

ca. c. WOODRUFF QONTAINER CUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CA RS FiledJan. 19,

1954 11 Sheets-Sheet '7' lll Illll lll|| l ll lllllll Oct; 13, 1936. G.a. WOODRUFF CONTAINER CUSHIONINGMEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS Filed Jan. 19;1954 11 Sheets-Sheet a Oct. 13, 1936. G. c. WOODRUFF CONTAINERCUSHIONING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS Filed Jan. 19, 1934 ll Sheets-Sheet9 v D Z 2 V a w 3mm Caz/M 4% Oct. 13, 1936. e. c. WOOD'R UFF 2,057,223

7 CONTAINER CUSHION ING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CARS F ild Jan. 19, 1934 11Sheets-Sheet 10 Oct. 13, 1936. G. c. WOODRUFF CONTAINER GUSHIONING MEANSFOR CONTAINER CARS 1 1 Sheets-Sheet l1 Filed Jan. 19, 1934 Patented Oct.13, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER CUSHIONING MEANS FOR.CONTAINER CARS Graham 0. Woodrufi, Bronxville, N. Y., assignor to The L.C. L. Corporation, a corporation of Delaware 21 Glaims.

This invention relates to container cushioning means for container carsof thattype'in which afixed side or drop side container. car is dividedby bulkheads or partitions into sections, bays or compartments toreceive interchangeable goods holding containers for the shipment ofgoods in less than car lots.

Cars of this type, similar to ether railway cars, are equipped withregulation draft gears. of suitable capacity 'to. absorb all ordinaryend shocks occurring in regular operation, but excessive end jars andshocks, caused by switching or sudden brake applications, are oftenexperienced which cannot be fully absorbed by the draft gear and whichresult in damage to the containers and their contents.

The main object of my invention is'to pro vide cushioning meanssupplemental to that of the draft gear and operating to effectuallycushion the containers against such jars and shocks and to protect thecontainers and lading against damage therefrom.

A further object of theinvention is to provide cushioning means of thecharacter and for the purpose described which will centralizeandproperly center the containers in their bays or compartments and whichmay be readily applied to existing cars and used in connection withregulation containers without any necessity for special attention orfastenings or requiring extra time or operations in loading or unloadingactions.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear in the course ofthe subjoined description, the invention consists of the novel features.of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which:--

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a regulation fixed- Fig. 6 is a view inside elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section on line 1--1 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 and 9 are sections taken respectively on lines 88 and 99 of Fig.5.

, Fig.; 10 is. a view similar to Fig. 5 of one half 5' of a containercompartment on one side of the longitudinal center of the car andshowing a modified construction of cushioning means.

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 6 of the construction shown in Fig.10. 10'

a Fig. 12 is a section on line l2--l2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 10 showinganother modifiedconstruction of cush-.- ioning means. 7

, Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the same, par- 15- tially in section.

' Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are vertical transverse sections on lines I5-l5,l6-I6 and l'|l| of Fig. 13.

Figs. 18 and 19 are vertical longitudinal sections on lines l8-l8 and19-49 of Fig. 13.

Figs. 20 and 21 are views similar to Figs. 13 and 14 showing stillanother modified construction of cushioning means.

Fig. 22 is a section on line 22-22 of Fig. 20. Fi'gs. 23 and 24 areviews similar to Figs. 20 and 21 showing still another modifiedconstruction of cushioning means.

Figs. 25 and 26 are sections on lines 25--25 and 2626 of Fig. 23.

Figs. 27 and 28 are views similar to Figs. 23 and 24 showing stillanother modified construction'of cushioning means.

Fig. 29 is a section on line 2929 of Fig. 2'1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show theapplication of my invention to a container car I of gondola type andhaving fixed sides 2 and fixed ends 3,'while Figs. 3 and 4 show theapplication of my invention to a container car Ia. having fixed ends 360but provided with drop sides 2a, which drop 7 sides may serve simply ashinged drop doors at the sides of container compartments or as combineddrop doors and gangways, i. e., loading and unloading platforms overwhich the contai'ners may travel to and from the car compartments. Inboth structures the car embodies a car under frame 4 to which aresecured transverse bulkheads, abutments or partitions 5 which cooperatewith the endwalls 3 or 30!. and side walls 2 or doors 2a. to form alongitudinal series of compartments 6 to receive interchangeable singlesize containers 1 or double size containers 1, which containers may beeither of the type having flat bottoms for supporting them directlyplatform from lateral shifting.

on the bottoms or shelves elevated above the bottoms or of the typehaving supporting legs to engage sockets in the bottom walls of thecompartments to support the containers with their bottoms elevated abovethe bottoms of the compartments. The bulkheads or abutments, in additionto dividing the car body into container receiving compartments ofsuitable size, also serve as spacers and stops to hold the containersfrom undue longitudinal shifting movements on the car. These bulkheadsor abutments may be of any suitable construction and terminate at thesides of the car in supporting posts or stanchions 8, to which, as incase of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the walls 2 and 3 aresecured, or which, as in case of the structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4,serve as door jambs for the drop sides or doors 2a, in which case theposts or bulkheads may be divided with suitable fastening members orlatches 9 to hold the drop sides or doors in closed position.

In Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, I have specifically shown one form of mypresent invention, in which the bottom of each container compartment 6is formed by a longitudinally movable platform ll! provided at each ofits four corners with antifriction bearing wheels or rollers ll restingand traveling on the upper surfaces of the car side sills 2, and alsopreferably provided at a central point with half-round or half ovalmetal strips l3 secured to the underside of the platform throughout itslength, resting on the top surface of the center sill cover plate [4,and serving the purpose of supporting the platform and acting asfriction brake shoes or snubbers. Lateral movement of the platform isprevented by guiding and retaining strips or brackets l5 and I 6attached to the underside of the plat form on each side of the centersill and engageable with the sides thereof to hold the The platform actsas a movable shock absorbing container support on which the fiat bottomof a legless container may directly rest. The platform is provided withsockets l! to receive the lower ends of the legs of a container havingsupporting legs.

Each container supporting platform is movable longitudinally in itscompartment to an effective degree for shock absorbing actions betweenthe compartment forming bulkheads or abutments and such longitudinalmovement of the platform is limited and cushioned by helical cushioningsprings l8 bearing against spring seats I!) secured to the end edges ofthe platform and mounted on suitable spring brackets 20 attached to theunderframe cross members 2 I. The design and capacity of these springsis such that in addition to acting as shock absorbers, to absorb theshocks and jars sustained by the car and causing relative longitudinalshifting movements between the car and container, they will be effectivein restoring the platform to and maintaining it normally in a centralposition, thus providing full movement and capacity for absorption oflongitudinal jars or shocks in either direction at all times.

The cushioning action of the springs I8 is or may be supplemented by theshock absorbing actions of spring cushioned container guide mem bers inthe form of guide bars or blocks 22 movably mounted in guide seats orguideways 23 on the bulkhead or abutment, the bars or blocks and theirguideways preferably extending continuously from side to side of thecar. The blocks have beveled and vertical guiding and bearing surfaces24 and 25 and serve the function of guide shoes to guide the containerinto and out of the compartment and to cushion the longitudinalmovements of the container as it shifts with the platform. Each guidebar or block is backed by helical cushioning springs 26 disposed in theseats 23 between the blocks and a backing plate 21 forming a part of thebulkhead. and each block is provided with stop shoulders 28 engageablewith stop flanges or shoulders 29 on the seat 23 to limit the outwardmovement of the block. The similarly arranged sets of springs I8 and 26arranged on each bulkhead for coaction with the platforms and containersin adjacent compartments are preferably disposed in alinement so thatone and the same bracket or guideway, as the case may be, will serve asa support for springs acting upon the adjacent surfaces of platformsand. containers disposed at contiguous sides in two adjoiningcompartments.

From the foregoing it will be seen that each container is mounted upon asupport or platform which is movable longitudinally relatively to thecar frame or body to compensate for excessive end shocks or jars due toswitching actions or sudden brake applications which cannot be absorbedby the draft gears. These movements of the platforms are cushioned andabsorbed by the springs 18 so that damages to the containers, lading andparts of the car due ordinarily to such shocks or jars will be preventedor reduced to the minimum. The cushioning action of the guide blocks orbars which is supplementary to the cushioning action of the platform,provides in conjunction therewith a double means of yieldingly resistingand absorbing end shocks and restoring containers to central positionbetween bulkheads, the cushioning means in each bay or compartmentoperating entirely independently of the cushioning means in the otherbays or compartments whereby each container is separately andindependently supported and cushioned against shocks and jars liable tocause damage to the container, its contents or cooperating parts of thecar structure. Damage to containers and lading caused by excessiveshocks and jars will thus be eliminated or reduced to an appreciabledegree.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12, I have shown a modified form of my invention inwhich a different construction and arrangement of platform cushioningsprings is employed, the modified spring cushioning device providing forthe action of opposed springs in either direction'in absorbinglongitudinal shocks and centering the movable platform. Four pairs ofopposed helical springs 30 and coacting followers 3| are used in eachplatform, the springs and followers being supported by cast supports orcheck plates 32 secured to the car sills and to the car underframe.Suitable brackets 33 secured to the underside of the movable platformengage the spring followers and springs as shown. This construction ofspring cushioning means is also applicable to the different arrangementsof movable platforms disclosed herein.

In the form of my invention disclosed in Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive, andin Fig. 19, I have shown a modified arrangement of platforms andmodifications in the construction of the guiding and cushioning means onthe bulkheads. As shown, instead of a transversely continuous one pieceplatform, a narrow platform 34 supported on rollers resting on the carside sills and auxiliary longitudinal underframe members 34', isprovided at each side of a container compartment, which is provided witha fixed bottom or floor 35 between them. The top surface of each movableplatform is raised slightly above the surface of the floor 35 so as toallow clearance between the undersides of fiat bottom containers and thestationary car fioor. Each platform is provided with sockets or recesses36 to receive the legs or supports on containers so equipped.Longitudinal movement of each platform, which is independent of theplatform at the opposite side of the car, is cushioned by helicalsprings 31 bearing against spring seats 38 attached to each end of theplatform and to spring brackets 39 secured to the underframe crossmembers. Steel strips 40 fastened to the underside of each platform andprovided with downwardly projecting portions 4| to lap the top member ofthe car side sill and auxiliary platform supporting member, serve asfriction members to retard or snub longitudinal movement and as lateralretainers for holding the platforms in place. Such additional retainingmeans as may be found necessary or desirable. to assist in holding themovable platform in place on the car under any and all conditions may beemployed. This modification also discloses the use of two specificallydifferent forms of bulkhead cushioned container guides, as shownrespectively in Figs 18 and 19. In Fig. 18 the construction of thebulkhead, bulkhead guide blocks and means for supporting the blocks isthe same as that described with respect to Figs. to 10, inclusive,except that semielliptic cushioning springs 42 are employed in place ofhelical springs. In Fig. 19, however, pressed steel metal guides 43 areused in place of the wooden guide blocks which are formed to the samecontour as the wooden guide blocks and function in the same manner.These metal guides are supported and movably held in position by thebulkhead top framing members and by guide bolts 45 secured to the topedge of the bulkhead web plate, as shown. Regularly spaced helicalsprings 46 are here shown as the cushioning means, but semi-ellipticsprings may be employed if desired.

In Figs. 20, 21 and 22, I have shown an arrangement in which thecontainer supporting platform 41 is suspended for movement by means ofswing hanger links 48 from the cross bulkheads, said hangers beingpivotally attached at their upper and lower ends to brackets 59 on thebulkheads and platform. Longitudinal movement is cushioned by helicalsprings 50 bearing against brackets 5| secured to the underside of theplatform and to the underframe cross members. This platform is suitablefor supporting either containers of flat bottom type or containersequipped with legs or other supports.

In Figs. 23 to 26, inclusive, I have shown a platform arrangementsimilar to that shown in rangement in which the platform 51, which maybe supported by swing hangers of the type shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 22or 23 to 26, inclusive, that disclosed in the latter-named case beingshown, is spring cushioned in the manner shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12,the parts used being correspondingly numbered to those shown in thelast-named figures. When this swing arrangement and spring cushioningmeans are conjointly used the brackets attached to the underside of theplatform will be required to serve only as bearings for the swinghangers.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,the construction, mode of operation and advantages of my improvedsupporting and cushioning means for the containers of container carswill be readily understood, without a further and extended description,and it will be seen that a construction is provided which ensuresprotection to the cars, containers and lading from end shock or jarswhich has not been obtainable by constructions heretofore in use andwhereby damage due to these causes are overcome or reduced to asubstantial degree. While the structures disclosed are preferred, it isto be understood that they are merely exemplificative, as many changesin the form, construction and arrangement of parts may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

It will be understood that any of the various cushioned bulkheadsillustrated in Figs. 5 to 19, inclusive, can be used in conjunction withany of the platform arrangements shown in Figs. 20 to 29, inclusive, andthat, in general, the supporting and cushioning features disclosed areinterchangeable and that accordingly any combination of platform andcushioned bulkheads may be used.

It will also be understood that the cushioning devices embodying theinvention, while readily applicable to container cars of the drop-sidetype, they are, as shown, also readily applicable to cars of the rigidside type when divided into compartments by the use of cross bulkheadsor partitions of the kind disclosed or any equivalent thereof.

While the cushioning and centering devices for the movable platforms andfor various styles of cushioning bulkhead guide blocks consist ofhelical springs, or, in case of the cushioned bulkheads, either helicalor semi-elliptical springs suitably positioned between the platform orcushioned guide blocks, any suitable shock absorbing or cushioningdevice or media may be employed to secure the desired cushioningactions.

It may be remarked that a possible adaptation of the invention to arigid side car falling clearly within the scope of the invention wouldconsist of a skeleton framework designed to fit within the fixed carsides and ends in the form of a floating cradle provided with cushioningsprings of suitable number and capacity to absorb longitudinal shocksand jars, providing supplementary means in addition to the regular draftgears for protecting the containers and lading from damage due to impactor rough handling; With this arrangement it would, of course, beimpracticable to protect each container individually, though practicalto protect all or a number of the containers in groups, the completebattery of containers or group or groups of them, as the case may be,being supported in a movable framework which may be provided with theusual guide shoes or fixed transverse bulkheads or other suitable meansto prevent contact of the containers with each other.

What I claim is:--

1. In a container car, a car frame, a car body mounted thereon,transverse abutments on the body forming a longitudinal series ofcontainer compartments, a container supporting platform mounted in eachcompartment for movement longitudinally of the car, abutments on theframe, cushioning springs on the frame engaging the abutments on theframe and extending on each side of an abutment on the body for opposinglongitudinal movements of container platforms in adjacent compartments,and cushioned container guides on the abutments on the body at anelevation above said cushioning springs.

2. In a container car, a car frame, a car body mounted thereon,transverse abutments on the body forming a longitudinal series ofcontainer compartments, a container supporting platform mounted in eachcompartment for movement longitudinally of the car, guides on the framefor guiding the platforms in a longitudinal direction and preventingtransverse movement thereof, abutments on the frame, cushioning springson the frame between said abutments on the frame and the containerplatforms in adjacent compartments for opposing longitudinal movementsof container platforms in adjacent compartments, and cushioned containerguides on the abutments at an elevation above said cushioning springs.

3. In a container car, the combination of a car frame, a car body, acontainer supporting platform mounted on the frame for movementlongitudinally of the car, transverse abutments on the frame at each endof the platform, spring means limiting and cushioning the longitudinalmovements of the platform, friction shoes on each platform and insliding frictional engagement with the frame to oppose longitudinalmovement of the platform, container guides movably mounted on theabutments, and spring means backing and cushioning the movements of saidguides.

4. In a container car, a car frame, a car body, transverse abutments onthe body, guiding means on the frame, a container supporting platformmovable longitudinally of the frame on said guiding means and held fromlateral movement thereby, cushioning springs between the platform andcar frame for cushioning longitudinal movements of said platform,container guide members movably mounted on the abutments, and cushioningmeans on the abutments yieldingly backing the guide members to cushionlongitudinal movements of the container on the platform.

5, In a container car, a car frame, a car body, transverse abutments onthe frame forming container compartments, a container supportingplatform movable longitudinally of the frame in each compartment,cushioning springs opposing longitudinal movement of the platform ineach direction, transversely extending container guide bars movablymounted on the abutments extending across the compartments, andcontainer cushioning means on the abutments backing said guides.

6. In a container car, a car frame, a car body transverse abutments onthe body forming container compartments, a container supporting platformmovable longitudinally of the frame in each compartment, cushioningsprings disposed on the frame between the frame and platform and bearingon the ends of the platform for opposing longitudinal movement of theplatform in each direction, container guides movably mounted on theabutments, and cushioning means backing said guides.

7. In a container car, the combination of a car frame, a car body,stationary transverse bulkheads in the car body dividing the same into aplurality of container receiving compartments, a container supportingplatform mounted, in each compartment for movement longitudinally of thecar, means interposed between each platform and the underframe fornormally maintaining the platform in a neutral position and opposing andcushioning longitudinal movements thereof, and means on the abutments ateach side of each container compartment for normally maintaining acontainer on the platform thereof in a neutral position with respect tothe platform and yieldingly opposing movements of said containerlongitudinally of the car, said means presenting guiding surfaces toadditionally serve the function of guiding a container with relation tothe platform when elevated into or deposited in its receivingcompartment.

8. In a container car, the combination of an underframe, a car body,stationary transverse bulkheads disposed in the car body and separatingthe same into a plurality of container receiving compartments, saidbulkheads being provided with pockets, a longitudinally movablecontainer supporting platform mounted in each compartment, meansinterposed between said platform and the underframe for normallymaintaining the platform in a neutral position in its compartment andyieldingly opposing longitudinal movements thereof, guiding membersmovably mounted in the pockets of the abutments for guiding a containerwhen inserted downwardly within or lifted for deposit upon or removalfrom the platform, and cushioning means in the pockets of the abutmentsfor action thereon to yieldingly oppose movements of said guidingmembers,- whereby said guiding means are adapted to act as cushionbuffers to yieldingly Oppose longitudinal movement of the container onits platform and to adapt the container to shift longitudinally with theplatform.

9. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe havingmembers presenting track surfaces and a friction surface, a car bodymounted on the underframe, stationary transverse abutments within thecar body and dividing the same into a plurality of container receivingcompartments, a longitudinally movable container supporting platform ineach compartment having roller bearing contact with the track surfacesof the underframe, cushioning means interposed between each platform andthe car underframe to yieldingly oppose longitudinal movements of theplatform in either direction, and friction shoes upon the platformengaging the friction surface of the underframe to frictionally retardthe platform in its longitudinal movements.

10. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe havingmembers presenting track surfaces and a friction surface, a car bodymounted on the underframe, stationary transverse abutments within thecar body and dia stationary floor within each compartment, lonfvidingthe same ,into a plurality of container receiving compartments, alongitudinally movable container supporting platform in each compartmenthaving roller bearing contact with the track surfaces of the underframe,cushioning :means interposed between each platform and the carunderframe to yieldingly oppose longitudinal movements in eitherdirection of the container on its. platform, and friction shoes upon,the platform engaging the friction surface of the.;underframe tofrictionally retard the plat- ;form in its longitudinal movements. 7

{11. In a container-car, the combination of a car underframe having sidesills and a center sill, a carbody, stationary; transverse bulkheadswithin the car body and dividing the same into a plurality of containerreceiving compartments, a longitudinally movable container supportingplatform in each compartment having roller bearing engagement with theside sills of the underframe, cushioning means interposed between eachplatform and the underframe for yieldingly opposing longitudinalmovements of the platform in either direction, and friction shoes oneach platform engaging the center sill of the car underframe andcoacting therewith to frictionally retard the longitudinal movements ofthe platform.

12. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a car body,stationary transverse abutments arranged within the car body anddividing the same into a plurality of container receiving compartments,a longitudinally movable container supporting platform in eachcompartment, means interposed between the underframe and each platformfor normally maintaining the platform in a neutral position in itscompartment and yieldingly opposing 1ongitudinal movements of thecontainer in either direction, and cushioning means upon the sides ofthe bulkheads within each compartment acting on a container support onthe platform to yieldingly oppose independent longitudinal movement ineither direction on the platform while permitting said container toshift longitudinally with the platform.

13. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a car body,stationary transverse bulkheads within the car body and dividing thesame into a plurality of container receiving compartments, each bulkheadbeing provided with pockets facing the adjoining compartments and havinga partition supporting said pockets, a longitudinally movable containersupporting platform Within each compartment, cushioning means foropposing longitudinal movements of said platform in opposite directions,guiding members movably mounted in the pockets of the abutments andacting to guide a container onto and off of a platform when depositedwithin and withdrawn from a compart ment, and cushioning springsdisposed in the pockets of the abutments between the separatingpartitions and the guiding members and backing said guiding members toyieldingly oppose independent longitudinal shifting movements of acontainer on its platform.

14. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a car body,transverse bulkheads within the car body dividing the same into aplurality of container receiving compartments,

gitudinally movable container supporting platforms in each compartmenton opposite sides of the stationary floor, means connecting saidplatforms in guided relation to the car underframe,

means interposed between the car underframe and the respective platformsin each compartment for yieldingly opposing longitudinal shiftingmovements of said platforms, container guide members upon the transverseabutments, and cushioning means on the abutments backing said guidemembers. 7

15. In a container car, the combination of a verse bulkheads within thecar body dividing the same into a plurality of container receivingcompartments, a longitudinally movable container supporting platform ineach compartment, links pivotally connecting each platform with one ofthe aforesaid stationary parts of the car structure for swinginglysupporting the platform for longitudinal movements, and cushioning meansyieldingly controlling the longitudinal shifting movements of eachplatform.

. 16. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a carbody, stationary transverse bulkheads within the car body, and dividingthe same into a plurality of container receiving compartments, alongitudinally movable container supporting platform in eachcompartment, links pivotally suspending the platforms from thebulkheads, and cushioning means for opposing the longitudinal movementsof the platforms.

17. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a gondolatype car body mounted thereon, transverse bulkheads dividing the bodyinto a plurality of container receiving compartments, a longitudinallymovable container supporting platform at the bottom of each compartment,abutments on the underframe, and cushioning means on the underframebeneath each bulkhead engaging said abutments on the underframe andextending into adjacent compartments on opposite sides of said bulkheadand engaging adjacent ends of the platforms in said compartments tocushion the longitudinal movements of said platforms.

18. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a gondolatype car body mounted thereon, transverse bulkheads dividing the bodyinto a plurality of container receiving compartments, a longitudinallymovable container supporting platform at the bottom of each compartment,abutments on the underframe, cushioning means on the underframe beneatheach bulkhead engaging said abutments on the underframe and extendinginto adjacent compartments on opposite sides of said bulkhead andengaging adjacent ends of the platforms in said compartments to cushionthe longitudinal movements of said platforms, and container guiding andcushioning elements on the bulkhead above the level of the platforms,

19. In a container car, the combination of a car underframe, a gondolatype car body mounted thereon, transverse bulkheads dividing the bodyinto a plurality of container receiving compartments, a longitudinallymovable container supporting platform at the bottom of each compartment,abutments on the underframe, cushioning means on the underframe beneatheach bulkhead engaging said abutments on the underframe and extendinginto adjacent compartments on opposite sides of said bulkhead andengaging adjacent ends of the platforms in said compartments to cushionthe longitudinal movements of said platforms, guide sockets at the topof each bulkhead on opposite sides thereof, backing members separatingthe sockets at opposite sides of each bulkhead, container guidingmembersmovably mounted in said sockets, and cushioning springs disposedin the sockets between the container guiding and backing members.

20. In a container ,car, a car underframe having side sills, a centersill and cross beams connecting said sills, a car body carried by saidunderframe, transverse bulkheads dividing said body into a plurality ofcontainer receiving compartments, a longitudinally movable containersupporting platform disposed in each compartment above said sills andhaving followers depending therefrom, check plates carried by adjacentcross beams of the underframe, and cushioning springs between saidfollowers and check plates.

21. In a container car, a car underframe having side sills and a centersill, a car body carried by said underframe, transverse bulkheadsdividing said body into a plurality of container receiving compartments,a longitudinally movable container supporting platform in eachcompartment, each having roller bearing engagement with the side sills,abutments on the underframe beneath adjacent compartments, cushioningmeans engaging the abutments on the underframe and also engaging theplatforms in adjacent compartments to cushion the movements of saidplatforms, and friction shoes on each platform engaging the center sillto frictionally check the movements of the platform.

GRAHAM C. WOODRUFF.

